on Ali’s health, 109
Padilla, Carlos, 153, 154
Page, Greg, 150, 172
Palma, Sergio Victor, 123
Pasiewicz, Ryszard, 37
Patterson, Amelia, 162–63, 241, 242
Patterson, Floyd, 67, 147
Penn, Sean, 212
Perez, Tony, 139
Petty, Harold, 1, 6, 94
Poggemeyer, Herman, 50
Poindexter, Kevin, 230
Pope, Ed, 29
Porter, Kevin P.
fight with Leon, 229–30
on Michael-Cooney fight, 192–93, 196–97
Pruitt-Igoe housing project, 1–2, 3–4, 13, 247
demolition of, 14–15
Pryor, Aaron, 32, 39
Pryor, Richard, 88
Putnam, Pat, 18, 58, 59, 60, 70, 83
before Ali rematch, 99–100
Q
Qawi, Dwight Muhammad, 129–30, 134, 156
fight with Leon, 163, 164, 165–70
fight with Michael, 130–31, 135–41
Queen Latifah, 241
R
Race, Culture and the Revolt of the Black Athlete (Hartmann), 46
Rademacher, Pete, 67
Randolph, Leo, 33, 36, 40
after Olympics, 123
on Leon’s Olympics fight, 44
in Olympic Games, 38, 42, 45
Rappaport, Dennis, 187
Ratliff, Alfonso, 186
Redden, Art, 92, 95
and Marines’ boxing team, 18–19, 25, 28
Reno (NV), 166–67
Richardson, Percy, 195
Richman, Alan, 29
Righetti, Alfio, 67–68
Riklis, Meshulam, 153
Riskiev, Rufat, 41, 43–44
Robinson, Sugar Ray, 83
Rodriguez, Luis, 61
Rogal, James, 41
Romeo, Donald, 109
Rooney, Kevin, 209, 216
Rossman, Mike, 100
Rotella, Carlo, 85, 128, 173–74
on Holmes-Michael rematch, 182
on Michael’s legacy, 220
Roth, Jerry, 183
and Holmes-Michael rematch, 177, 180, 182
Russia, amateur boxing in, 36
S
Saad Muhammad, Matthew, 122, 125, 128, 129
Sachse, Ottomar, 38
Sadat, Anwar, 100
Santana, Tony, 17, 20, 25–26, 29, 87
Saraceno, Jon, 234
Sawyer, Leon, 164
Schaap, Dick, 210
Schmeling, Max, 80
Schmitz, Brian, 208
Schwartz, Rolly, 32–33, 34, 37
Scott, Bruce, 60
Sekorski, Rocky, 199
Sepulveda, Ray, 234, 235
Shavers, Earnie, 66, 110, 155, 245
Shilstone, Mackie, 148–49, 155, 175
and Michael-Cooney fight, 191, 192, 195–96
Sinatra, Frank, 100, 108
Smith, Bob, 59–60
Smith, Bonecrusher, 150, 190
Smith, Red, 112
Smith, Sam, 5
Snipes, Renaldo, 125
Solomon, Sam, 70
at Ali rematch, 101, 102, 103
before Ali rematch, 92, 93, 95, 96, 99, 100
Leon-Ali fight, 72, 74, 75
Sons, Ray, 42
Soria, Sixto, 44, 45
Spinks, Betty, 163, 221, 222, 224
on Leon’s health, 237
Spinks, Cory, 106, 224, 245–46
relationship with father, 246
takes up boxing, 223
Spinks, Darrell, 31, 106, 245
meets Sepulveda, 234–35
relationship with father, 222, 224, 246
takes up boxing, 223
Spinks, Karen, 9
Spinks, Kay Francis, 9–11, 14, 96, 167
at Ali rematch, 100, 104
Holmes-Leon fight, 117
Leon-Ali fight, 68, 69
Michael-Qawi fight, 139
at Olympic Games, 41, 47
Spinks, Kenneth, 9, 11–12
Spinks, Leland, 132–33
Spinks, Leon, 4, 124, 137, 239
after Ali fight, 82–92, 93–97
Ali fight, 65–67, 68–69, 71–79, 80
behavioral problems of, 70–72, 85, 86, 106
boxes in Marines, 16–20, 25–29
comeback and last fights of, 228–37
at DeSoto Rec Center, 1, 5
divorce of, 113–15
early pro fights, 59–60, 62
early reputation, 8–9
fights after Ali rematch, 110–12
financial problems of, 163–64
Holmes fight, 115, 117–20
at Kronk Gym, 143–45
later fights of, 145–46, 163, 199–200
marriage to Glur and life today, 244–45, 247
marriage to Green, 221–22
marriage to Nova, 30–31
in medical study, 243–44
at Michael-Cooney fight, 194–95
at Michael-Holmes fight, 153, 155–56
at Michael-Muhammad fight, 126, 127–28
at Michael-Qawi fight, 137–38
in Olympic Games, 37, 38, 40–41, 43, 44–48, 49–51
in Olympic trials, 33, 34–36
Qawi fight, 165–70
relationship with father, 10, 222
relationship with sons, 222–24, 245–46
rematch with Ali, 89, 98–106, 172
respect for Ali, 64
returns to St. Louis, 237–38
Righetti fight, 67–68
turns pro, 52, 55–56, 59
at Vashon High, 13–14
works at Balooly’s, 225–27
Spinks, Leon, Jr., 31, 106, 223
death of, 245
relationship with father, 222, 224
Spinks, Leon, Sr., 9, 10
Spinks, Michael, 4
after Holmes fight, 161–62
arrest of, 132–34
attitude toward money, 205
concerns about Leon, 88–89, 96, 144, 145
at DeSoto Rec Center, 1, 5
early pro bouts, 61, 68
feelings about boxing, 20–21, 22, 56–58, 124–25, 204–5
in HBO tournament, 173, 184–85, 186, 187–88, 189
Holmes fight, 146–48, 152–60, 171
at Holmes-Leon fight, 118, 119
at Leon-Ali fight, 69, 76, 78–79
at Leon-Ali rematch, 99, 102
Leon’s influence on, 8–9
McDonald fight, 145, 146, 150
Mustafa Muhammad fight, 122–23, 125, 126–28
in Olympic Games, 37, 38, 40–41, 43–46, 47, 48–49
in Olympic trials, 20–25, 33, 34–36
Qawi fight, 129–30, 130–31, 135–41
relationship with Lewis, 56–58, 60–61, 132, 162–63, 238, 240–43
relationship with Massey, 121–22, 134
rematch with Holmes, 175–83
retirement and legacy of, 218–20, 240
training regimen of, 148–49, 175–76
Tyson fight, 204, 206, 207–8, 211–17
at Vashon High, 13, 14
Spinks, Nova, 30–31, 69, 90
before Ali rematch, 96, 99
divorces Leon, 114–15
Sprewell, Hosea, 87
St. Louis (MO), 247–48
amateur boxing in, 8
Pruitt-Igoe housing project, 1–2, 3–4, 13, 14–15
Vashon High School, 12–13
Stafford, Roger, 92, 96
on Ali rematch, 105
and Leon in Marines, 17, 27–28
on Leon’s addictions, 70–71
Stallone, Sylvester, 100
Steele, Richard, 119, 184
Stevenson, Teófilo, 38
Steward, Emanuel, 74, 105, 114
at Leon-Qawi fight, 165, 167, 168–69
on Michael and Lewis, 132
&
nbsp; on Michael-Tyson fight, 212
relationship with Leon, 84–85, 143, 163, 226
Stewart, John, 194
Stockhausen, S. J. See Wheatley, Suzanne
Sulaiman, Jose, 67, 90, 91
Sullivan, John L., 80
Summer Olympics, 1976, 36
US boxing team, 33–47
Sutcliffe, Shane, 231
T
Tabat, Lou, 73, 77, 127
Tangstad, Steffen, 184–85, 186, 204–5
Tate, John, 34, 172
in Olympic Games, 38
Testaverde, Vinny, 193
Thomas, Pinklon, 152, 172
Tyson fight, 190
Thomas, Tommy Franco, 145–46
Thorne, Chris, 209
Tompkins, Barry, 139, 156
on Holmes-Michael rematch, 176, 177, 178, 179
Top Rank. See Arum, Bob
Torres, Jose, 209
Trump, Donald, 206, 212
Tubbs, Tony, 152, 172
Tucker, Tony, 184, 188, 189, 190
Tyson fight, 197–98, 201
Tureaud, Lawrence. See Mr. T.
Tyson, Mike, 43, 95, 185, 201, 241
Douglas fight, 228
fight with Michael, 206, 207–8, 209–17
in HBO tournament, 186–87, 189–90
at Michael-Cooney fight, 193
on Michael’s legacy, 219, 220
personal life, 208–9, 210
Tucker fight, 197–98
V
Valle, Victor, 194
Vance, Cyrus, 100
Vashon High School, 12–13, 247
W
Wade, J. C., 30
Walcott, “Jersey Joe,” 153, 193
Walker, Chuck, 34, 38
Wallace, Larry, 153, 156, 157
Wallau, Alex, 167
Washington, Denzel, 238, 241
Waters, Maxine, 12
WBA (World Boxing Association), 171, 172, 173, 198
WBC (World Boxing Council), 67, 171–72, 173, 198
Weaver, Mike, 172
Wheatley, Suzanne, 47, 49, 50–51
Wheatley, Tom, 21, 234
White, Frank, 118
Whitehead, Jerry Carr, 164
Wilder, James, 230
Wilkinson, Butch, 235
Willard, Jess, 166
Williams, Carl, 150
Williams, Del, 111, 119, 120
Willkie, Wendell, 80
Wine, Toni, 244
Witherspoon, Tim, 172, 186
Womack, Bobby, 238
Wonder, Stevie, 241
Wussler, Robert J., 78
Z
Zadora, Pia, 153
Zamboni, Frank, 219
Ziegel, Vic, 93, 101
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
John Florio’s work has appeared in print, on the web, and on television. He is also the author of the Jersey Leo crime novels, Sugar Pop Moon and the forthcoming Blind Moon Alley. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. You can visit him at johnfloriowriter.com.
Ouisie Shapiro is a five-time Emmy-winning writer and producer of sports documentaries. Her writing credits include HBO’s Joe Louis: America’s Hero Betrayed; Namath: Beaver Falls to Broadway; and Lombardi. She has also produced ESPN SportsCentury documentaries on Jack Dempsey, Sonny Liston, and Rocky Marciano, among others.
When the ribbon was cut in 1954, Pruitt-Igoe was hailed as the answer to the nation’s urban development woes. But for the Spinkses and thousands of other poor families, it was an abject failure. AP IMAGES
The western half of 2207 O’Fallon St. came down in 1972. Demolition of the remaining 32 buildings was completed by 1976. The site where Pruitt-Igoe once stood is now an empty lot. FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF THE ST. LOUIS MERCANTILE LIBRARY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI–ST. LOUIS.
A 23-year-old Leon connects against Sixto Soria on his way to the gold in the 1976 Olympics. The morning of the fight, Leon “had enough alcohol coming out of his pores to knock me out,” recalls trainer Kenny Loehr. AP IMAGES
Leon (center) and Michael (right) were the first brothers to win gold medals in the same sport in the same Olympics. Here, they are awarded the key to the city from St. Louis Mayor James Mason. AP IMAGES
Michael gets a kiss from his mother, Kay, upon their return from the Olympics in Montreal. Kay’s strong religious beliefs rubbed off on Michael, who referred to her as “my mom and best friend.” FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF THE ST. LOUIS MERCANTILE LIBRARY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI–ST. LOUIS.
Leon often told reporters that he was beaten by his father, Leon Spinks Sr. (pictured here). Leon Sr. denied the accusations. FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF THE ST. LOUIS MERCANTILE LIBRARY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI– ST. LOUIS.
On April 16, 1977, in his pro debut, Michael knocked out Eddie Benson. Benson went down from an overhand right—a punch that would later be known as the “Spinks Jinx.” AP IMAGES
Leon watches Michael defeat Tom “The Bomb” Bethea, hours before taking on Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight crown. It would be Leon’s eighth pro fight. AP IMAGES
Leon is lifted on the shoulders of his handlers after taking the title from Ali on February 15, 1978. The celebration never stopped. AP IMAGES
After winning the title, Leon bought a white six-door Lincoln Continental limo, a Cadillac Seville, and a house in Detroit’s Rosedale Park. Here, the champ and his first wife, Nova, visit New York in matching mink coats. AP IMAGES
The champ chats with the press the day before his first title defense—a rematch against Ali. Leon’s personal bodyguard, Mr. T, keeps a close watch. AP IMAGES
Leon and Ali ignore each other as they wait to be interviewed on network TV. Their rematch, a week away, would draw more than 90 million viewers. AP IMAGES
Leon drank, partied, and whored away his championship days, right up until the hours before the Ali rematch. Here, an ill-prepared Leon exchanges punches with “The Greatest” at the Superdome in New Orleans. AP IMAGES
Sam Solomon (lower left) tends to Leon in the champ’s only title defense. Milt Bailey (center) was Leon’s cutman for both Ali fights. He supplied the mysterious brown bottle the night Leon took the belt. AP IMAGES
Leon, now an ex-champion, lifts Michael’s arm in victory after Michael wins his eighth pro fight—a fourth-round KO over Eddie Phillips. AP IMAGES
Leon got another title shot, this one against WBC champ Larry Holmes, on June 12, 1981, at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena. Holmes entered the fight with a grudge stemming from an earlier incident. AP IMAGES
Holmes punished Leon and dropped him in the third round. Referee Richard Steele stopped the fight shortly after the knockdown. AP IMAGES
Michael leaves the Philadelphia courthouse where he was arraigned on the charge of possessing an unregistered handgun. AP IMAGES
March 18, 1983: Now WBA light heavyweight champion, Michael defeats WBC champ, Dwight Muhammad Qawi, by unanimous decision. Qawi accused Michael’s promoter, Butch Lewis, of paying off referee Larry Hazzard. AP IMAGES
Michael raises the WBA and WBC belts after unifying the title. Butch Lewis (right, in white) looks as happy as his fighter. AP IMAGES
In 1985, Michael beefed up to take on IBF heavyweight champion, Larry Holmes. Holmes (lower right) looks on as Michael tips the scale at an even 200 pounds. AP IMAGES
September 21, 1985: Michael becomes the first light heavyweight champ in history to take the heavyweight title. Never before had two brothers been world heavyweight champions. AP IMAGES
A pith-helmeted Leon (left), sporting new front teeth, gives the latest heavyweight champion a congratulatory hug. AP IMAGES
Michael beats Holmes a second time—in a razor-thin, hotly disputed decision. AP IMAGES
Stripped of his belt for leaving the HBO heavyweight series, Michael took a $4 million payday to fight six-foot-six Gerry Cooney. The only title on the line was Ring magazine’s, which recognized the lineal champ. Michael downed Cooney in the fifth; the fight was stopped later that round. AP IMAGES
Michael shows
off his Ring magazine belt after the Cooney fight. He’s flanked by referee Frank Cappuccino (left) and promoter Butch Lewis (right). Lewis is gunning for Tyson. AP IMAGES
Michael trains in Pleasantville, NJ, for his fight against undisputed champ Mike Tyson. The fight, billed “Once and for All,” would gross over $100 million. Michael would earn $13.5 million. AP IMAGES
June 27, 1988: The opening bell for Tyson-Spinks was delayed. Rumor was that Michael was too intimidated to leave his dressing room. The holdup lasted longer than the fight: Michael was knocked out in 91 seconds. AP IMAGES
July 27, 1988: Michael wipes a tear from his eye during his retirement luncheon at New York’s famed Tavern on the Green. AP IMAGES
Leon was rarely present during his sons’ early years, but has been more involved with them as adults. He was often seen rooting on Cory, a former undisputed welterweight champion. AP IMAGES